What is your favorite Paphiopedilum?

[Buttercup]

Hi everyone,

I am thinking for Valentine's this year I will ask for a Paphiopedilum. The assortment of amazing varieties is overwhelming! Rather than just randomly choose I would like to ask you what your favorites are. I have never bought one before and am very excited. I feel I have an area perfect for their growing requirements.

If you have pictures of your favorites, that would be wonderful.

I hope to keep you updated when I choose one.

Thanks!
Buttercup

[theovercollector]

HI Buttercup,
One of my personal favorites is Paph. delanatii. It is a beautiful species paph. that is fragrant (according to various written sources...) You can usually find them at some of the orchid shows and possibly online, perhaps piping rock orchids... Hope this helps! -star

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Paph Magic Latern is a cross of delinatii and micranthum, and I understand that it is easier to grow than either of the parents. My plant bloomed shortly after acquireing it, and has 2 growths now that look nearly blooming size.

[Buttercup]

Thank you both! I love the idea of something fragrant and I don't have anything pink or purple. Maybe I will just ask for two )

[desertgal]

I love my Glycauphyllum X Self. Note its twisted petals. Also St. Swiffens is lovely.

[Buttercup]

Wow, great pictures! Do you find that a "normal" paph has one bulb or multiple? (or is this totally dependent upon what specific kind it is)?

[Buttercup]

Also, sorry, Star I forgot to ask what do you mean by "perhaps piping rock orchids"? I don't understand this? Thanks!

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Paphs don't have bulbs, and this is one reason you don't let them dry out completely. Actually, Paphs are a slightly more distgan relative of the rest of orchids anand there has been talk in the past of removing them from the family of orchids. Of course we would all get very upset if they did that. So there are some differences of note, like the fact that they have tough roots and can be repotted any time and like to be repotted often, once or twice a year.

Piping Rock is a Paph and Phrag nursery. I bought a few plants from them at shows. Click on Paphiopedilum at the top of the page.
http://www.pipingrockorchids.com/Bindex.htm
You might also like to check out Orchids of Wickford. I bought 2 seedling P. vietnamense from him, and they are doing well.
http://www.wickfordorchids.com/
Heres one I just noticed. Haven't bought from them tho.
http://www.woodstreamorchids.com/